By OPOROZA, Delta State – In an event of profound cultural and spiritual signification, the revered Gbaraun Egbesu Temple in Oporoza bore witness to a historic assembly on Tuesday.
Tompolo
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, joined a powerful gathering of Ijaw monarchs and traditional leaders for an exclusive, enlarged thanksgiving service.
The sacred temple, the spiritual heart of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, saw the presence of the Pere of Gbaramatu, His Royal Majesty Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadagba, who led a full retinue of royal figures.
The ceremony drew dignitaries, elders, and youths from across the Ijaw nation, alongside monarchs recently returned from a spiritual pilgrimage spanning Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo states.
Ijaw monarchs at the gathering
The gathering was not merely ceremonial. It served as a potent symbol of unity, cultural renewal, and reflection upon the shared struggles and triumphs of the Ijaw people.
The day was dedicated to prayers for the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria, with a focused call for enduring peace and urgent economic reforms.
Tompolo, the influential Niger Delta advocate and chairman of the Tantita Security Surveillance Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), addressed the congregation, underscoring the critical role of traditional institutions in fostering regional harmony and conviviality. He praised the monarchs’ efforts in sustaining peace amidst complex socio-political challenges in their domains.
“This land has suffered for far too long,” stated Tompolo. “It is time for us to continue working together for the prosperity of our people, ensuring that the blessings of our ancestors are not in vain.”
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Ijaw people and to peace processes that tangibly benefit the Niger Delta.
Tompolo and HRM Oboro Gbaraun II
Echoing this sentiment, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II expressed profound gratitude for the peace returning to the region.
“Today is a day of thanksgiving, a day to celebrate our culture, our traditions, and most importantly, to give thanks for the blessings we have received,” the monarch declared.
The presence of figures such as Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Registrar of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, underscored the event’s broad significance, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary leadership.
The ceremony was brought to life with plenty to eat in line with Ijaws’ generosity, traditional dances, music, and invocations, as elders called upon the Egbesu deity and other gods for more prosperity, preservation and protection. The active participation of Ijaw youths highlighted a generational commitment to preserving this rich cultural legacy.
Leaders used the platform to issue a unified call for greater investment in the region’s infrastructure and human capital from both federal and state governments, emphasising the need to empower the next generation.
Marking a powerful reaffirmation of Ijaw resilience, the event concluded with a pledge from Tompolo and the assembled monarchs of continued support for the people of the Niger Delta.
The message from the hallowed grounds of Oporoza was unequivocal: a deep-rooted culture is being harnessed as the foundation for a determined march toward a more prosperous and united future.
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